“The next step now is to determine if the increases in muscle strength are also related to increases in brain size that we saw

In addition, we want to find the underlying messenger that links muscle strength, brain growth, and cognitive performance, and determine the optimal way to prescribe exercise to maximise these effects.”

Professor Perminder Sachdev, a study author, said:

“The people I meet often ask me the question: what kind of exercise should I do to protect my brain?

This study goes some way in answering this question, even though much further work remains.”